Who is Sheffield United target Cian Ashford? | OneFootball

Away from the headline stealing names of Ings, Mee and Redmond. Sheffield United are still reportedly moving for young talent. According to Darren Witcoop, the Blades are reigniting their interest in Cardiff City forward Cian Ashford, 20.

However, there is the sticking point of the Bluebirds’ current stance of not for sale and going nowhere. But should the Blades be moving heaven and earth for the young forward. Or at the very least be sending the necessary money to turn the League One leaders’ heads.

Here’s a look at Ashford’s career so far.

Academy Days

Born in Rhonda in 2004, Ashford joined Cardiff’s academy aged 6. By November 2020, Ashford had been called in to senior training by Neil Harris. In a 4v4 training match, Ashford scored a hat-trick impressing the coaches who had to ask his school for permission to attend the session.

A Wales Online report quotes a long-time watcher of Cardiff’s youth teams claiming that Ashford was “the closest thing I’ve seen at youth level to Aaron Ramsey!” Not a bad comparison at all.

Into the first-team

By 2023, Cian Ashford began to make first team appearances. Whilst, the Blades were finding life difficult in the Premier League, Ashford took his first steps in the Championship. Five appearances in the second tier, one in the FA Cup, and three in the EFL Cup produced one goal and one assist. Both of which came in the league.

Around this time, he made his breakthrough into the Wales U21s. He made his debut against the Czech Republic U21s count coming on in the 91st minute. He immediately scored an equaliser. So far he has made seven appearances in the U21s scoring three goals.

Last season was a strange one for Ashford. On a personal level it saw him become a more regular first team player. As he made 31 appearances getting three goals and three assists in all competitions. Although, it also was a season that saw Cardiff relegated to League One.

Sheffield United will remember one of Ashford’s goals. The goal at Bramall Lane in January took down a heavily rotated Blades’ side. His nineteenth minute goal came from him winning the ball off Rhys Norrington-Davies on the halfway line before sprinting forward to finish past Adam Davies. If you watch the FA Cup highlights it is predominantly two minutes and 26 seconds of Ashford causing the Blades’ backline several problems.

This season

So far, Ashford has made seven appearances this season, five in League One and two in the EFL Cup. He scored and was named Fotmob player of the match against Swindon Town in the first round of the EFL Cup. Hitting the woodwork with his only other shot of the game.

Before heading to Rotherham in the next league game scoring on the 55th minute to double the Bluebirds’ lead.

A statistical look at his Championship season

It’s worth noting that Ashford can and has played across the front line. Both wings, behind the striker and as the striker. Although, he featured most of last season as a right winger or right midfielder.

Of the 28 Championship appearances Ashford made last season, he started 17 of them. On FotMob his pu creferred foot is interestingly referred to as both.

All of these stats to follow need to be looked at in the context of playing in a relegated side.

In possession

From a dribbling perspective, Ashford was among the Championship’s best. He completed 58.7% of his dribbles putting him in the 91st percentile for forwards in the second tier last season.

He was dispossessed hysterically 19 times and won 22 fouls. His goal output could be increased if he gets more touches in the opposition box. He only made 44 last season placing him in the 46th percentile. If he can improve this his output should also improve.

Passing

His pass accuracy of 81.2% in the Championship saw him sit around the average, 64th percentile of Championship forwards. He created 13 chances last season but only had a long ball accuracy of 46.2%. A potential concern given Selles love of vertical football.

Shooting

His two goals in the Championship last season saw him performing above his xG of 1.57. However, of his 21 total shots only four were on target.

Takeaways

In a week where we’ve been talking more about Sheffield United needing proven ready players now. Ashford isn’t that yet. Although, he is making a great impression in the Welsh capital.

Whilst, the scouting team deserve more credit, you can’t help but feel his goal against the Blades back in January can’t have hurt his chances of being on their radar.

If he carries on developing as he has so far, Ashford may be worth signing now for the future and as a rotational option. The Blades squad depth is crying out for wingers. Ashford would provide that and if he does keep developing. The Blades could be getting for a good fee now instead of having to overspend or compete and miss out by hesitating.